When the roll of parchment finally stopped, it reached halfway down the aisle of beds. Madam Pomfrey read the list over, 'tsk'ing the whole time. Finally, she rolled the parchment back up, handing it to Professor Lupin before speaking.
"It would appear, Mr. Potter, that our most immediate concern for you physically is a severe case of malnutrition. Most of that list is injuries that didn't heal properly, but we'll worry about those once you're at a healthy weight. I would like to see you eat more, and I'll also prescribe you some nutrient potions. Also, no exerting yourself unnecessarily. Yes, that includes flying Mr. Potter," the matron cut off Harry before he could even ask. "I'd also like to see about getting a mind healer in here, because from the amount of improperly healed injuries you've had, I have no doubt that Mr. Weasley and Mr. Weasley were correct in their accusations of your relatives, and it really is best if you talk to someone about that."
"I'll take the potions and eat more and stuff, but do I really have to see a mind healer?" Harry protested. "I mean, it's not like I'm crazy or something."
"Nobody ever said you were, Mr. Potter. But sometimes it helps to talk about our problems with someone who isn't allowed to judge us. Isn't that right, Professor Lupin?"
"That's right," Professor Lupin agreed. "In fact, I happen to meet with a mind healer once a week myself."
"And George and I see one too," Fred revealed to Harry.
"Why?" Harry asked curiously.
"Well, with you and Ron risking your lives every year so far," George started.
"We often feel helpless and worried about you two," Fred continued.
"And after what happened with Ginny last year," George picked up.
"We sometimes need to talk to someone, or everything overwhelms us," Fred finished.
"But what if I don't want to talk to a mind healer?" Harry asked stubbornly, crossing his arms.
"Then you can just sit there in silence with the mind healer until you want to talk," George told him. "I've done it before."
"I don't think any of my patients have actually talked to a mind healer about their real problems at the first appointment," Madam Pomfrey informed Harry kindly. "In fact, I'm pretty sure it's expected that you won't want to talk early on. But I still believe that it will be helpful in the long run. I'll try to schedule an appointment for you in the next week or so. Are there any times that work best for you?" she asked Harry.
"As long as I don't have any detentions, after dinner's fine I guess, " Harry shrugged reluctantly.
"I'll make sure that no teacher gives you a detention at the time of the appointment then," Madam Pomfrey nodded decisively.
"Do all of the professors have to know?" Harry groaned.
"Yes, Mr. Potter, they do. Besides the fact that they need to work around your appointments when scheduling detentions or extra help sessions with you, it's also a good idea for them to be informed of the situation so that they can provide you with support in class if needed. Which professor do you not want to know about this Mr. Potter?" Madam Pomfrey huffed.
"Professor Snape. He hates me! What do you think he'd do with this type of information on me?!" Harry replied.
"Professor Snape will not treat you poorly because of this, and if he does, he will have to answer to me. And I don't imagine your head of house would let him get away with it either, Mr. Potter. You will always be safe at Hogwarts."
Fred snickered a bit as he saw Harry struggling to suppress a yawn. "Madam Pomfrey, I think we'd best take him back to his dorm now," George told her.
"Of course, of course. Just make sure he stops by before each meal this week so that I can be sure he won't try to get away with not taking his potions," the matron said as she escorted the boys out of the hospital wing.
"We will," Fred and George chorused over their shoulders as they guided Harry back to Gryffindor Tower.